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I held myself still and let him touch me. Once all the pins were removed, my hair uncoiled and spilled long down my back. It was unruly, with a wayward curl to it. Luke grunted out what I had to hope was satisfaction as he ran his fingers through the strands. My eyes fell closed at the decadent feel of it.
“Like spun gold,” he murmured. When he gently placed his hands on my shoulders, I looked up at him and watched as his eyes lowered to my mouth. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“Yes,” I breathed, my heart beginning to gallop like a runaway horse. I wanted that so very much.
His lips were gentle and soft. Only for a moment. Then the kiss turned carnal and deep, his tongue slipping into my mouth as I gasped. The kiss was startling, for it was like instant heat. Desire pulsed through my veins and settled between my thighs. My hands took hold of his shirt and gripped tightly as his own hands cupped my face. His palms were callused, but warm.
I had no idea how long we stood there before the fire, but Luke eventually lifted his head and I whimpered. His eyes were a dark green, narrowed and clouded with need.
I couldn’t catch my breath.
“This suite has a washroom. A tub with hot water.” His eyes stayed fixed on my swollen lips. “Bathe. Relax, for when you come out, I will have you well occupied.”
> “You… you don’t have to wait,” I said. My voice was unfamiliar, breathy and eager as I admitted my needs.
The corner of his mouth tipped up as his knuckles raked over my cheek. “So brave,” he said with a groan. “I am not denying you. Quite the contrary. I only have so much control, sweetheart.” He tilted his chin in the direction of the washroom. “I wish for you to scrub the journey from your skin, to take a minute to yourself before I possess you.”
Possess. Oh God. Not take, or claim or even fuck. Possess was… more. So much more.
Offering a wobbly nod, I turned to the bathing room.
“Celia,” he called.
I looked at him over my shoulder.
“When you are done, don’t dress.” His eyes slid down my body and I felt my nipples tighten. “I want to see you. All of you.”
My cheeks heated then. He wanted to look at me, to see me bare and exposed. I should have been fearful, but it only made me… eager. If it had been anyone else who’d made such a blatant statement, I would have been mortified and appalled and fearful. But with Luke, I felt… God, aroused and eager to please.
The man was virile and dominant and yet he waited for me to accept his expectation. If I didn’t, I knew somehow that he’d be gentle instead. But this was what he wanted, what he needed and would not hide that. It only made me more eager for him.
Licking my lips, I nodded and went into the other room. Leaning against the door, I caught my breath. That had just been a kiss and I was so aroused. Could I survive more?
There was no question that he wanted me, that he would take me. Did he know that when he stopped, when he offered me a chance to bathe, it only made me more eager for him? I’d think of nothing but the kiss, of him seeing me naked for the first time. For other things. The wait was arousing.
Going to the copper tub, I adjusted the knobs until hot water poured in and I watched as the steaming water slowly filled the tub. Somehow, he had restraint, but only so much of it.
I had no idea how much time had passed once I sank into the steaming water, but he knocked once, then called my name.
“Yes?” I answered, my hands gripping the edge of the tub.
“May I come in?”
If I said no, I knew he would stay on his side of the door. I didn’t even know him, yet I was confident in this, confident that he would not push me. But did I want him to stay out? I licked my lips as I knew the answer. I wanted him to come in. I wanted more kisses. I wanted… more.
“Yes,” I said, my voice quiet. I was about to repeat it louder, but he heard me.
The door opened and Luke entered. His looked me in the eyes as he said, “I could not wait any longer.”
I liked that he admitted to his desire, that he plainly shared the truth. It was obvious in every line of his body. His jaw was tense, his hands clenched in fists and I couldn’t miss the very prominent bulge in his pants.
It was my turn now. He was waiting to see what I would do next. While I’d made the decision weeks ago to become a mail order bride, chose to board the train, this was the moment. This was the decision that made me his.
Luke wanted me. I wanted him. The connection had been instant, the attraction real. He didn’t just want to take me as John had. He wanted me.
Pushing off the sides of the tub, I stood then, letting the bath water sluice down my naked body. Let Luke look his fill. My body wasn’t perfect. My breasts were on the small side, my hips wide, but the way his eyes narrowed, the way he ran a finger over his mouth made me feel beautiful.
He didn’t say anything, only took a bathing towel from the chair in the corner and held it out for me. Carefully, I stepped from the tub and into his arms. He wrapped the towel about me, but instead of letting go, he lifted me into his arms and carried me into the other room, lowering me so we knelt before the fire.
